Dr. Holladay and the purchase of the Holladay House Dr. Lewis Holladay (1868-1946) was educated at Hampden-Sydney College and the University of Virginia. In 1892, he married Sally Helen Price and they had their first daughter, Louise in 1898. The Holladays had six children in all: Louise, Henry Thompson, Lewis, Jr., James Porter, Helen, and Aubrey. ![]() The Holladays purchased a brick home on Main Street in Orange in 1899, now known to all as the Holladay House. They made several additions to their home in the 1910s. They also constructed a small schoolhouse and second home on the property in the 1920s and 1930s. Miss Louise Holladay never married, and resided in the Holladay House her entire life. She taught local children in the one-room private schoolhouse, which no longer stands. A prominent citizen in Orange, Virginia Dr. Lewis Holladay grew up in Orange Presbyterian church. He was elected a Trustee of the Church Property in the spring of 1908. He served as ruling elder of Orange Presbyterian Church and was elected Delegate to attend the meetings of Presbytery and Synod many times over in his years on the Session. Dr. Holladay was also dean of Physicians for Orange County, and a member of the State Board of Medical Examiners. He served as Orange County coroner, and company surgeon for the C&O Railway. During World War I, he attended to wounded soldiers at the convalescing hospital the Duponts built at Montpelier. ![]() Mother and daughter serve the church His wife Helen was an active member of the Women’s Auxiliary. She was interested in foreign and home missions, sometimes serving as secretary. Helen Holladay was on the flower committee, putting fresh flowers in the church. She also organized rummage sales to raise money. In 1925, Mrs. Holladay was elected choir directress and Miss Louise Holladay was elected organist. Miss Louise was paid $10 per month for her service! In Part 3, we'll follow Lewis Holladay, Jr,. Lewis Holladay III, and the fate of the Holladay House. - Jennie Hill Robinson OPC History Team
0 Comments
In October 1847, just two years after the church was organized, Dr. Lewis Littlepage Holladay, his wife, Jane G. Thompson, and their two sons, were received from the Presbyterian Church of Fredericksburg. The sons were John Zachary Holladay and Henry Thompson Holladay. Dr. Holladay and his wife soon had two more sons, John Addison Holladay and James Minor Holladay. The family lived near Rapidan at Dunlora. Dr. Lewis Holladay serves OPC Dr. Holladay was ordained Elder in November 1847 and became Stated Clerk of the Session in May 1865. In 1867, he and four others were appointed Trustees to hold property purchased by OPC for the erection of a manse. The property was later sold to Dr. I. W. K. Handy, who was then pastor and had the manse erected. (for more of this story see: The Old Manse) “In 1869, the Church sustained a severe loss in the death of an Elder, Dr. Lewis Littlepage Holladay. A most consistent Christian, and regular in his attendance upon the services and courts of the church, he exercised quiet influence in it as well as in his own neighborhood. Though interested in scientific matters, he was particularly well versed in ecclesiastic subjects, and his gentle and genial disposition made him to be universally beloved.” A. G. Grinnan, Elder March 31, 1888 (During his turn as Stated Clerk of the Session, Dr. A. G. Grinnan, carefully and efficiently recorded the minutes for 27 years!) ![]() Henry Holladay and founding of Waddell Memorial Church Dr. Holladay’s son, Henry Thompson Holladay, Sr. (1828 - 1910) was admitted to OPC in 1847. His first wife was Mary Jane Boggs (1833–1861) and his second wife was Frances Porter Holladay (1838-1917). They lived near Rapidan and are buried at Waddell Memorial Presbyterian Church Cemetery. In 1874, two elders from the Orange Presbyterian Church, Dr. Andrew G. Grinnan and Henry T. Holladay, led a campaign to erect a church at Rapidan. It was to be a memorial to Rev. James Waddell. Rev. Waddell was a celebrated blind preacher. He was the first Presbyterian preacher to fill a regular appointment in Orange County. The campaign was a success. Two years later, West Hanover Presbytery organized the Waddell Memorial Church. Henry Holladay had seven children between his two wives, one being Lewis Holladay, Jr. (1868-1946). More on him and his son later! Jennie Hill Robinson OPC History Team ![]() This was once our place of worship and is now our beautiful Fellowship Hall. So happy that when we needed a larger space, we did not sell this lovely building and go somewhere else to build our new and current church. She is a very important part of our history. It is appropriate that the Methodist Church is in the background -- we were without a church for a few years before we built this one in 1910. The Methodists, and the Baptists, were kind enough to let us worship in their sanctuaries during that time. - Jennie Hill Robinson The sun was out, and the weather warm. A perfect day to take some pictures! Photos courtesy of Jennie Hill Robinson
![]() “In February 1878, two sisters were received into the church who became as faithful, devoted and consecrated as any Christians who ever lived. One was Lelia Johnson, afterwards Mrs. Walker Sanford, and the other Evelyn Johnson, afterwards Mrs. W. C. Williams. These two “Elect Ladies” served the church long and well and have left a rich heritage to their children and to their church.” Rev. William B. Ward November 8, 1945 Evelyn Williams and the move In February of 1910, a congregational meeting was held at the close of service. It was to consider an offer of $1,200.00 for the existing church building on what is now Byrd Street. The congregation unanimously agreed to accept the offer and a committee was chosen to select a site for the new church. The committee included Mrs. Evelyn Williams. Evelyn was also selected to be on the building committee. On March 7, 1910, a meeting of the committee to select the site for the new church was held at Berry Hill, the residence of Mrs. W. C. Williams. After a “free and full discussion”, the Allen lot was chosen for the new church. That lot was at the intersection of, what is now, Caroline and Main Streets. ![]() In 1942, new pews were installed in the church, many of them being given as memorials. Some were given as a memorial to Evelyn Johnson Williams by her children. One is still in our Fellowship Hall. Jo Williams and the Women's Auxiliary Josephine "Jo" Johnson Williams was born on June 2, 1893, and was admitted into the church on May 19, 1907. She married Rowland F. Hill Jr. of Locust Dale, VA. On August 31, 1924, Rowland Flint Hill Jr. was received into the membership of the church by letter from Crooked Run Baptist Church. They had two children, Rowland Flint Hill, III and Evelyn Williams Hill. They also lived at Berry Hill. Mrs. Hill’s sister, Elmira Hansbrough Williams lived at Berry Hill with them. “Miss Elma” also was received into the membership of the church and was a devoted member of the Women’s Auxiliary. (See her story in our archives from earlier.) “Jo” served on the OPC Women’s Auxiliary in every capacity over the years. She was one of the major forces in serving lunches at the cattle sales, 4-5 times a year. When our current church was in the beginning stage of construction, Mrs. Hill was part of the groundbreaking ceremony. (More on that later!) Her husband, Rowland Hill Jr. served on the Board of Deacons. (insert photo of groundbreaking) Rowland and Dot Hill -- and family On March 31, 1935, Rowland Flint Hill III was received into the membership of the church, and Evelyn was received into the church on July 3, 1938. In 1945, a tribute was paid to Mrs. Josephine Williams Hill’s family for three generations of devoted service, which includes her parents and her children. In 1944, Rowland F. Hill III married Dorothy MacDonald Childress. They had five children: William Clayton Hill, Rowland F. Hill IV, Floyd Childress Hill, Douglas MacDonald Hill and Jennie Grey Hill. All of the children were baptized in the OPC, attended the Sunday School and participated in Youth Activities. Rowland served on the Board of Deacons and Dot was a member of the Women of the Church. She enjoyed helping with flowers for the Sanctuary and contributing food for lunches, dinners and receptions. Dot’s church family were her best friends.
Jennie Hill Robinson is still active today. She enjoyed starting the Memorial Garden with others and helping with fund raising for the community. She is currently serving on the Session. Evelyn (Chip) Hill married Frank (Rev) G. Scott of Orange on December 16, 1961. They had one son, James Rowland Scott, and lived in Texas. They moved back to Orange in 1975. Evelyn Hill is the oldest member of Orange Presbyterian Church at the age of 96 and has, also, been a member the longest. Jennie Hill Robinson - OPC History Team ![]() “Self-discipline, compassion, responsibility, friendship, work, courage, perseverance, honesty, loyalty and faith. Mary and Chester Hazard and Emma Frances Hazard Bartley possess all of these virtues and more. They are an inspiration to their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and to us all.” Robert Jones, 1995 OPC 150th Anniversary The Third Generation: Marjorie Elizabeth and Peggy Sue Bartley On May 15,1954, the daughters of Horace and Emma Frances Bartley, Marjorie Elizabeth and Peggy Sue, (raised in the Orange Presbyterian Church), had a double wedding in the old sanctuary. Rev. Albert Edwards officiated. Both husbands joined this church, Lorris ‘Buckshot’ Clements from the Gordonsville Baptist Church and Charles O. ‘Billy’ Fitch from the Orange Methodist Church. Peggy, born in 1934, and Billy Fitch, a Deacon of this congregation, have four children. Charles Timothy, William Perry, Kathleen Sue and James Ordway were raised in this church and participated in many Sunday School and Church youth activities. Margie Clements was born in 1932. She was a OPC choir member and a Sunday School teacher Margie is a member of the Women of the Church Circle and served as the Treasurer for many years. She participated in many OPC activities including countless church lunches and suppers. ‘Buckshot’, who has served on the Diaconate also was a member, and past president, of the Men of the Church. He played on the church softball team as part of the local area church softball league. ‘Buckshot’ is presently a Trustee of OPC. ![]() The Fourth Generation: Lorris Lynn and Scott Bartley Clements Margie and Buckshot have two boys, Lorris Lynn and Scott Bartley. Lynn was born in 1956 and raised in OPC. He participated in many church activities as a member of the Sunday School and the Youth Group. Lynn later became a Sunday School teacher and Sponsor of the OPC Youth Group. He also played on the church softball team. Lynn has in the past, and is currently, serving on the Session. He has been a member of the Property Committee for many years and heads up our newly formed Safety Team since Covid-19. Lynn married Lynne Kirkpatrick Taylor in 1988 in OPC. The ceremony was officiated by Rev. Bill Nichols. Lynne became an active member of this church, teaching Sunday School and Sponsoring the Youth Group. She was a member of the choir and the Session. In 2016, Lynne was ordained as Minister of the Presbyterian Church, USA in a Service of Ordination at OPC. In 2018, she was installed as Associate Pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Charlottesville. Scott Bartley was born in 1960 and was involved in church activities as a member of the Sunday School and Youth Group. He was also part of the OPC Softball team. Scott is married to Teresa Herndon Clements. ![]() The Fifth Generation: Martha, Leslie, and Anne Clements Lynn and Lynne have three daughters: Martha Elizabeth, Leslie Kirkpatrick and Anne Bartley, all of whom were raised in OPC. Martha was an active member of the Sunday School and church youth activities and sang in the choir. She served on the Session and was Superintendent of our Sunday School. Leslie also was active in the Sunday School and church youth activities, sang in the choir and served on the Session. Anne, following her family’s lead, participated in Sunday School and church youth activities and sang in the choir. These young women are the 5th generation of the Hazard family active in OPC today. All of these young people have lead by example as did their parents, grandparents and great-grandparents. “Those things which we hold foremost in our memory and dwell on in our thoughts play an important part in defining just who we are. Thus, it is not just appropriate, it is a vital part of the Orange Presbyterian Church to remind ourselves of the saints of this congregation. And to thankfully celebrate their lives and their example, by bringing up the memories of the part they have played in the continuity of who we are and who we strive to be.” Robert Jones, 1995 OPC 150th Anniversary - Jennie Hill Robinson OPC History Team |
Archives
February 2025
Categories
All
|